Zone identifications on input devices

ABSTRACT

In one example, method, a computing device determines whether there is engagement of a first input device of the computing device and, in response to an engagement of the first input device, the computing device identifies, via a visual indication on a second input device of the computing device, a first zone that can be used with the first input device to operate the computing device.

BACKGROUND

The emergence and popularity of mobile computing has made portablecomputing devices, due to their compact design and light weight, astaple in today's marketplace. Within the mobile computing realm,notebook computers, or laptops, are one of the most widely used devicesand generally employ a clamshell-type design consisting of two membersconnected together at a common end. In most cases, a first or displaymember is utilized to provide a viewable display to a user while asecond or base member includes an area for user input (e.g., trackpadand keyboard).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a computing device that includes multiple inputdevices for op rating the computing device, according to an example;

FIGS. 2A-C provide an illustration of zones that may appear on atrackpad. in response to engagement of a pointing stick, according to anexample;

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of operation at a computing device forproviding zones on an input device of the computing device, in responseto engagement of another input device of the computing device, accordingto an example; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram in accordance with an example of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A pointing device, such as a mouse, or the trackpad found on thenotebook computer, allows a user to input spatial data to the notebookcomputer. Movements of the pointing device, or movements of fingers onthe trackpad, are echoed on the viewable display by movements of apointer/cursor and other visual changes. Common gestures performed bypointing devices include point and click, and drag and drop. Upon movingthe pointer/cursor to its appropriate place on the viewable display,such gestures may be initiated by a button press, click, or tap, basedon the particular pointing device (e.g., tap on a trackpad withoutbuttons). As users may prefer to perform such gestures differently, somenotebook computers may include additional pointing devices, such as apointing stick, which is a pressure-sensitive nub, typically mounted inthe keyboard of the notebook computer, which operates by sensing theforce applied by the user. As an example, the pointing stick can be usedby pushing the pointing stick with the fingers in the general directionthe user wants the cursor to move.

Examples disclosed herein provide zones on an input device of acomputing device, to be used with another input device of the computingdevice, to operate the computing device. As will be further described,the zones on the input device (e.g., trackpad) are identified via avisual indication, in response to an engagement of the other inputdevice (e.g., pointing stick), or when the other input device isdetermined to being used. Similarly, the visual indication is removedfrom the trackpad when there is no longer engagement of the pointingstick, or when the pointing stick is no longer being used. As trackpadsare doing away with physical buttons, including the physical buttonsthat corresponded to pointing stick usage, the zones that are enabledand visually indicated, in response to engagement of the pointing stick,provide support for users to continue to use pointing sticks to operatecomputing devices such as notebook computers.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a con sting device 100that includes multiple input devices for operating the computing device100, according to an example. As an example, the input devices maycorrespond to pointing devices, such as a pointing stick 102 and atrackpad 104, as described above. As an example, the computing device100 may correspond to a notebook computer, and the pointing stick 102and trackpad 104 may be located on the base member of the notebookcomputer, allowing for a user to control data found on the displaymember of the notebook computer. However, in addition to notebookcomputers, the pointing stick 102 and trackpad 104 can be found on othercomputing devices or peripheral devices, such as a keyboard.

The computing device 100 depicts a processor 106 and a memory device 108and, as an example of the computing device 100 performing itsoperations, the memory device 108 may include instructions 110-114 thatare executable by he processor 106. Thus, memory device 108 can be saidto store program instructions that, when executed by processor 106,implement the components of the computing device 100, The executableprogram instructions stored in the memory device 108 include, as anexample, instructions to determine engagement (110), instructions toenable a zone for secondary functions (112), and instructions toidentify zones via visual indication (114).

Instructions to determine engagement (110) represent programinstructions that when executed by the processor 106 cause the computingdevice 100 to determine whether there is engagement of the pointingstick 102. As an example, determining whether there is engagement of thepointing stick 102 may provide an indication whether the pointing stick102 is being used to operate the computing device 100. Determiningwhether there is engagement may involve detecting whether a user makescontact with the pointing stick 102. As described above, as the pointingstick is pressure-sensitive, when force is applied to the pointing stick102, the computing device 100 may determine that there is engagement ofthe pointing stick 102, and that it is likely being used. As an example,the pointing stick 102 may be capacitive, and the computing device 100may detect that a user is making contact with the pointing stick 102when the user touches the capacitive pointing stick 102. By beingcapacitive, the computing device 100 may determine when there isengagement of the pointing stick 102, even prior to any force beingapplied to pointing stick 102 by the user to operate the computingdevice 100. This may be beneficial, to promptly indicate when the useris potentially intending to use the pointing stick 102.

Instructions to enable a zone for secondary functions (112) representprogram instructions that when executed by the processor 106 cause thecomputing device 100 to enable a zone on the trackpad 104 for handlingsecondary functions while the pointing stick 102 is being used tooperate the computing device 100. As an example, the zone on thetrackpad 104 for handling secondary functions may be similar to thesecondary button found on a computer mouse, which can be used, forexample, to display a menu with different options, depending on thesite/app that the pointer/cursor is in currently. This zone on thetrackpad 104 may not be desirable when the pointing stick 102 is not inuse. For example, if the trackpad 10 is being used to operate thecomputing device 100 (and not using the pointing stick 102), if the zoneon the trackpad 104 for handling secondary functions remains enabled,the user may tap in the zone, intending the tap for a primary function(e.g., making a selection), but a secondary function would result (e.g.,displaying a menu). As a result, the zone on the trackpad 104 forhandling secondary functions may be enabled only when engagement of thepointing stick 102 is determined, as described above.

Instructions to identify zones via visual indication (114) representprogram instructions that when executed by the processor 106 cause thecomputing device 100, in response to an engagement of the pointing stick102, identify via a visual indication, on the trackpad 104, zones thatcan be used with the pointing stick 102 to operate the computing device100. One of the zones may correspond to the zone described above forhandling secondary functions. At least another zone may be similar tothe main button on the computer mouse, for handling primary functions. Anumber of other zones may be identified by visual indication, accordingto an example. The visual identification provided to identify the zoneson the trackpad 104 upon engagement of the pointing stick 102, asdescribed above, provides a way for users to easily locate the zones onthe trackpad 104, which correspond to virtual buttons that may be usedwith the pointing stick 102 for operating the computing device 100. Thevisual indication for identifying the zones may vary. As an example, thevisual indication may include lighting up the zones on the trackpad 104.Each zone may be lit separately, or even be lit by different colors orshades. Instead of completely lighting up each zone, the visualindication may include only an outline of each zone being lit, in orderto be identified.

Memory device 108 represents generally any number of memory componentscapable of storing instructions that can be executed by processor 106.Memory device 108 is non-transitory in the sense that it does notencompass transitory signal but instead is made up of at least onememory component configured to store the relevant instructions. As aresult, the memory device 108 may be a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium. Memory device 108 may be implemented in a single deviceor distributed across devices. Likewise, processor 106 represents anynumber of processors capable of executing instructions stored by memorydevice 108. Processor 106 may be integrated in a single device ordistributed across devices. Further, memory device 108 may be fully orpartially integrated in the same device as processor 106, or it may beseparate but accessible to that device and processor 106.

In one example, the program instructions 110-114 can be part of aninstallation package that when installed can be executed by processor106 to implement the components of the computing device 100. In thiscase, memory device 108 may be a portable medium such as a CD, DVD, orflash drive or a memory maintained by a server from which theinstallation package can be downloaded and installed. In anotherexample, the program instructions may be part of an application orapplications already installed. Here, memory device 108 can includeintegrated memory such as a hard drive solid state drive, or the like.

FIGS. 2A-C provide an illustration of the zones that may appear on thetrackpad 104, in response to engagement of the pointing stick 102,according to an example. As an example, the zones may correspond tovirtual buttons that become available to be used with the pointing slick102, in response to engagement of the pointing stick 102. Referring toFIG. 2A, the pointing stick 102 and the trackpad 104 may be found on abase member 200 of a notebook computer. The pointing stick 102 may bemounted in a keyboard 202, for example, embedded between the G, H, and Bkeys. As an example, the pointing stick 102 and track ad 104 may bewired to each other at 204, for handling communications between theinput devices. Referring to FIGS. 2B-C, in response to engagement of thepointing stick 102, visual identification may be provided to identifyzones or virtual buttons on the trackpad 104, which may be used with thepointing stick 102 to operate the notebook computer. As described above,the virtual buttons provide support for users to continue to usepointing sticks to operate computing devices, as physical buttons fromtrackpads may be removed.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the visual identification may include an outlineof each zone being lit, to provide virtual buttons 206 and 208.Referring to FIG. 2C, rather than lighting up the outline of each zone,each zone may be completely lit, to provide virtual buttons 210 and 212.Additional virtual buttons may be provided as wail, and are not limitedto the two illustrated. As described above, each virtual button may havea different function. For example, the button on the left (virtualbutton 206 or 210) may be used for handling primary functions, similarto the main button on a computer mouse. The button on the right (virtualbutton 208 or 212) may be used handling secondary functions, similar tothe secondary button found on the computer mouse. As described above,the virtual button on the right may be enabled, in response toengagement of the pointing stick 102. Once there is no longer engagementof the pointing stick 102, the virtual button on the right may bedisabled and the visual identification of all the virtual buttons may beremoved (e.g., see FIG. 2A). As a result, the whole trackpad 104 may beused for handling primary functions, similar to the main button on thecomputer mouse.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of operation 300 at a computing device forproviding zones (or virtual buttons, as described above) on an inputdevice of the computing device, in response to engagement of anotherinput device of the computing device, according to an example. As willbe further described, the virtual buttons on the input device (e.g.,trackpad) can be used with the other input device (e.g., pointing stick)to operate the computing device. In discussing FIG. 3, reference may bemade to the example computing device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. Suchreference is made to provide contextual examples and not to limit themanner in which method 300 depicted by FIG. 3 may be implemented.

Method 300 begins at 302, where the computing device determines whetherthere is engagement of a first input device of the computing device. Asan example, the first input device may correspond to the pointing stick102 of FIG. 1. As described above, with regards to the pointing stick102, determining whether there is engagement of the first input devicemay provide an indication whether the first input device is being usedto operate the computing device. Determining whether there is engagementmay involve detecting whether a user makes contact. with the first inputdevice, With regards to pointing sticks, when force is applied to thepointing stick, the computing device may determine that there isengagement of the pointing stick, and that it is likely being used. Asdescribed, pointing sticks may be capacitive, to detect touch and, as aresult, engagement of the pointing stick.

At 304, response to an engagement of the first input device, thecomputing ice enables a zone on a second input device of the computingdevice for handling secondary functions, while the first input device isbeing used to operate the computing device. As an example, the secondinput device may correspond to the trackpad 104 of FIG. 1. As anexample, the zone on the second input device for handling secondaryfunctions may be similar to the secondary button found on a computermouse, which can be used, for example, to display a menu with differentoptions, depending on the site/app that the pointer/cursor is incurrently.

At 306, in response to an engagement of the first input device, thecommuting device identifies, via a visual indication on the second inputdevice, zones that can be used with the first input device to operatethe computing device. One of the zones may correspond to the zonedescribed above for handling secondary functions (at 304). At leastanother zone may he similar to the main button on the computer mouse,for handling primary functions. The visual indication for identifyingthe zones may vary. As an example, the visual indication may includelighting up the zones on the second input device. Each zone may be litseparately, or even be lit by different colors or shades. Instead ofcompletely lighting up each zone, the visual indication may include onlyan outline of each zone being lit, in order to be identified.

While the first input device continues to be used to operate thecomputing device, the virtual buttons identified by the visualindication on the second input device may remain lit, in order for auser to easily identify the virtual buttons for usage. Therefore, at308, if engagement of the first input device remains, the computingdevice will continue to provide the visual indication of the zones onthe second input device, However, once there is no longer engagement ofthe first input device (e.g., the first input device is no longer beingused), the method proceeds to 310.

At 310, once there is no longer engagement of the first input device ofthe computing device, the computing device disables the zone on thesecond input device for secondary functions. By disabling the zone, onthe second input device for secondary functions, the second inputdevice, including the above-described zone on the second input device,may be used for handling primary functions, similar to the main buttonon the computer mouse. Referring to computing device 100, once it isdetermined that there is no longer engagement of the pointing stick 102(i.e., the pointing stick 102 is likely no longer being used), thecomputing device 100 disables the zone on the trackpad 104 for handlingsecondary functions. As a result, when the user operates the computingdevice 100 via the trackpad 104 instead, the whole trackpad 104 can beused for handling primary functions.

At 312, in addition to disabling the zone on the second input device forsecondary functions, the computing device removes the visualidentification of the zones on the second input device once there is nolonger engagement of the first input device of the computing device. Asa result, the visual indication of the virtual buttons appear on thesecond input device only when there is engagement of the first inputdevice, or when it is determined that the first input device is beingused.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 of steps taken by a computing device toimplement a method for providing zones on an input device of thecomputing device, in response to engagement of another input device ofthe computing device, according to an example, according to an example.In discussing FIG. 4, reference may be made to the example computingdevice 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. Such reference is made to providecontextual examples and not to limit the manner in which the methoddepicted by FIG. 4 may be implemented.

At 410, the computing device determines whether there is engagement of afirst input device of the computing device. As an example, the computingdevice determines whether there is engagement of the first input deviceby detecting whether a user makes contact with the first input device,Referring to the pointing stick 102 of FIG. 1, as the pointing stick maybe pressure-sensitive, when force is applied to the pointing stick 102,the computing device 100 may determine that mere is engagement of thepointing stick 102, and that it is likely being used. As an example, thepointing stick 102 may be capacitive, and the computing device 100 maydetect that a user is making contact with the pointing stick 102 whenthe user touches the capacitive pointing stick 102.

At 420, in response to an engagement of he first input device, thecomputing device identifies, via a visual indication on a second inputdevice of the computing device, a first zone that ca be used with thefirst input device to operate the computing device. As an example, thevisual indication may include lighting up the first zone on the secondinput device or lighting up an outline of the first zone. In response tothe first input device no longer being used, the computing deviceremoves identification of the first zone on the second input device byremoving the visual indication of the lighting of the first zone.

As an example, in addition to identifying the first zone on the secondinput device, the computing device may identify additional zones on thesecond input device to be used with the first input device to operatethe computing device. For example, the computing device may enable asecond zone on the second input device, in response to the engagement ofthe first input device. As an example, the second zone corresponds tosecondary functions that can be used with the first input device tooperate the computing device. These secondary functions may correspondto the secondary button found on a computer mouse. In addition toenabling the second zone, the computing device lights up the secondzone, in addition to any other zones, in response to the engagement ofthe first input device. In response to the first input device no longerbeing used, for example, when there is no longer engagement of the firstinput device, the computing device disables the second zone on thesecond input device for the secondary functions, and removes the visualindication of the zones on the second input device.

Although the flow diagram of FIG. 4 shows a specific order of execution,the order of execution may differ from that which is depicted. Forexample, the order of execution of two or more blocks or arrows may bescrambled relative to the order shown. Also, two or more blocks shown insuccession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Allsuch variations are within the scope of the present invention.

It is appreciated that examples described may include various componentsand features. It is also appreciated that numerous specific details areset forth to provide a thorough understanding of the examples, However,it is appreciated that the examples may be practiced without limitationsto these specific details. In other instances, well known methods andstructures may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the description of the examples. Also, the examples may beused in combination with each other.

Reference in the specification to “an example” or similar language meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the example is included in at least one example, but notnecessarily in other examples. The various instances of the phrase “inone example” or similar phrases in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same example.

It is appreciated that the previous description of the disclosedexamples is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make oruse the present disclosure. Various modifications to these examples willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other examples withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the presentdisclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples shown hereinbut is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principlesand novel features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining whether there isengagement of a first input device of a computing device; and inresponse to an engagement of the first input device, identifying, via avisual indication on a second input device of the computing device, afirst zone that can be used with the first input device to operate thecomputing device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the visualindication comprises lighting up the first zone on the second inputdevice.
 3. The method of claim 2, comprising: in response to the firstinput device no longer being used, removing identification of the firstzone on the second input device, wherein removing the identificationcomprises removing the visual indication of the lighting of the firstzone.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual indication compriseslighting up an outline of the first zone on the second input device. 5.The method of claim 1, comprising: enabling a second zone on the secondinput device, in response to the engagement of the first input device,wherein the second zone corresponds to secondary functions that can beused with the first input device to operate the computing device; anddisabling the second zone on the second input device for the secondaryfunctions, when the first input device is determined to not being used.6. The method of claim 5, wherein: the visual indication compriseslighting up the first and second zones on the second input device, inresponse to the engagement of the first input device, and removing thevisual indication of the first and second zones on the second inputdevice when the first input device is determined to not being used. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether there is engagementof the first input device comprises detecting whether a user is to makecontact with the first input device.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe first input device is capacitive and detecting comprises detectingwhen the user is to touch the capacitive first input device.
 9. Acomputing device comprising: a pointing stick; a trackpad; and aprocessor to: determine whether there is engagement of the pointingstick, wherein determining whether there is engagement of the pointingstick comprises detecting whether a user is to make contact with thepointing stick; and in response to an engagement of the pointing stick,identify, via a visual indication on the trackpad, a first zone that canbe used with the pointing stick to operate the computing device.
 10. Thecomputing device of claim 9, wherein the pointing stick is capacitive,and the processor to detect whether the user is to make contactcomprises detecting when the user is to touch the capacitive pointingstick.
 11. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the visualindication comprises the processor to light up the first zone on thetrackpad.
 12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein in response tothe pointing stick no longer being used, the processor is to removeidentification of the first zone on the trackpad, wherein removing theidentification comprises removing the visual indication of the lightingof the first zone.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumcomprising program instructions which, when executed by a processor, tocause the processor to: determine whether there is engagement of a firstinput device of a computing device; and in response to an engagement ofthe first input device: identify, via a visual indication on a secondinput device of the computing device, zones that can be used with thefirst input device to operate the computing device; and enable one ofthe zones on the second input device to initiate secondary functionsthat can be used with the first input device to operate the computingdevice.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim13, wherein the program instruction to determine whether there isengagement of the first input device causes the processor to detectwhether a user is to make contact with the first input device.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein inresponse to the first input device no longer being used, comprisingprogram instructions to cause the processor to: disable the zone on thesecond input device to initiate the secondary functions; and remove thevisual indication of the zones on the second input device.